Former Mayor of Bogotá Shares New Way to Build Cities

In the space of just three years as mayor, from 1998-2001, Enrique Peñalosa transformed his city of 7 million inhabitants from a dangerous and congested mess into a leading example of sustainable urban development. Now, in a series of major seminars in China during July 2008, Dr. Peñalosa, a leading and innovative contemporary urban thinker, will describe to leaders in Guangzhou, Harbin and Hong Kong how they can profit from failures and successes elsewhere, and challenge them to invent a new and different model of urban development; more propitious to happiness, more sustainable, more equitable and more competitive. [More]

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It is not possible to design a transport system unless we know what kind of a city we want. Do we prefer Los Angeles, or Zurich? Public pedestrian space is the essence of a city, and quality of life, competitiveness, sustainability and social justice are not contradictory, but rather all demand the same kind of city. Car use is a key determinant of the kind of the city that is sought, and there is no "natural" level of car use. It is a political decision how much space will be allotted to them and how much cars will be used. Equally it is not possible to solve all public transport needs with rail. Top quality Bus Rapid Transit systems can basically do what a rail system does in terms of capacity and speed, at a lower cost. Bicycles are a serious matter that requires serious infrastructure.

Guangzhou event details

Evening of 15th July, Hosted by Sun Yat-sen University

Huai Shi Tang (Xiao Li Tang - Swasey Hall), Sun Yat-sen University, Xingang Donglu, 15th July from 7.30 to 9.30 pm
(free, but places limited and registration suggested )

Chinese cities can become the world's best; different and better than any existing cities. Bogotá is a young city, with 7 million inhabitants, and its experiments are relevant to all large Chinese cities, as are lessons learned worldwide regarding quality of life, human health and wellbeing, public space, waterfronts, pedestrian facilities, vehicle restrictions, Bus Rapid Transit and bicycle facilities. Dr. Peñalosa will describe how leaders in Guangzhou, Harbin and Hong Kong can profit from failures and successes elsewhere, and challenge them to invent a new and different model of urban development; more propitious to happiness, more sustainable, more equitable and more competitive.

Source: www.gzbrt.org

Editor: Jessie Hwang